Now that the Safdie brothers have split, their first solo features were highly anticipated this year: Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, following MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, and Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, centered on fictional table tennis player Marty Mouser. Despite their separation, both films explore strikingly similar themes: gifted yet struggling anti-heroes navigating success, resilience, and performance, whether through wrestling spectacle or Marty’s survival tricks. Musically, both scores rely on contrast. The Smashing Machine pairs Nala Sinephro’s delicate experimental jazz with the brutality of MMA, while Marty Supreme uses Oneohtrix Point Never’s ethereal, sometimes kitschy 80s synths against its 1950s setting. Interestingly, both artists are Warp affiliates. The syncs follow the same logic, from Masayoshi Takanaka opening The Smashing Machine to the playful use of “Forever Young” in Marty Supreme. While both soundtracks stand out, The Smashing Machine feels slightly more cohesive in how its music blends with the narrative. But on the question of Mark Kerr vs Marty Mouser, we will let you decide.

This year’s Cannes Soundtrack Award went to Sirat, Oliver Laxe’s desert techno-trance odyssey. Inspired by rave and free party culture, the film is more than a homage: it’s a visceral, spiritual journey through the Moroccan desert. Kangding Ray’s powerful, evolving score moves from deep, percussive techno to ethereal ambient soundscapes, seamlessly blending with Laia Casanova’s sound design. Together, they craft a “third narration” where image, story, and music merge into a transformative experience.

When she’s not serving as a music supervisor at BMM, Elise Kravets is a member of the reissue label Les Éditions Vermillon. The team of Parisian diggers has released their second vinyl compilation, focused on forgotten musical gems from a region in France. Following "The Great South-East" (1979-1986), which was spotted by Tyler The Creator and DJ Harrison (who recently did a cover of one of the tracks), they now present "The Great West" (1978-1988).

Halfpipe Records' latest compilation ‘Low Lights Paris Nord’ has been on our speakers for the past few months. The Parisian label, which has conquered clubs with its events blending DJ sets, skate ramps, and UK-inspired electronic music, has established itself as one of the most prominent collectives in Europe.